Gina Montessori Academy

cters that can stand them out among their peers in the society. We opened our doors for the first time on September 20, 2010, in a single room, with a modest number of six pupils being tutored and cared for. The 2011/2012 session saw Gina Montessori Academy increase in number and size to 5 rooms that eventually proved inadequate for the kids. Reason being that, in response to the need for appreciable space that is critical to the deployment of the world-class quality education which is at the heart of our vision, the school moved to her permanent site off Isaac Boro Expressway, Opolo, Yenagoa in Bayelsa state of Nigeria. Within the same academic session, we got the approval of the Bayelsa State Ministry Education to operate as a government recognized and approved institution of learning. For these we are grateful to God who has taught us to number our day and to apply our heart to wisdom. Our permanent premises, a large intended two-storey building set on a wide expanse of land consisting of roomy classrooms, Montessori room, playground with state-of-the-art outdoor and indoor recreational facilities, is not only environmentally friendly, secure and safe, but also clearly conducive for the learning processes that our pupils are exposed to and which continues to distinguish them from their peers. LEARNING APPROACH
Our vision for high standards and quality education is propelled by the firmly established, globally recognized approach to early childhood education – the Montessori philosophy (developed by our legend, Dr. Maria Montessori). This we combine very finely with the Early Year Foundational Stage approach (EYFS also often referred to as the British curriculum) and the Nigerian curriculum to deliver top notch educational services to our pupils. Our recognition of the uniqueness of each child, of the huge deposit of learning potentials within the child and of each child as an active and capable learner affords us the opportunity of deploying a unique blend of these globally recognized approaches of early childhood education, to the full benefit of each child in his unique areas of need. The overall aim is always to develop a total child that is capable in every department of life, on the global stage. The Montessori approach is developed around five robust and wide subject areas namely Math, Literacy, Culture, Practical Life and Sensorial. Our curriculum integrates the child’s physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs as well as the Theme Based Learning: Children learn better when they can make connections between what they know and the knowledge being imparted to them. Our toddler classroom is designed with just the right size furniture and lots of open spaces. This environment fosters and encourages exploration which is free of obstacles. It also stimulates the will to learn when objects are of a size and quality which toddlers can handle. Our toddlers, like all our pupils, are encouraged to share their feelings while respecting the rights of others who have their own unique and personal feelings. Our Montessori elementary classroom is a resource center to be used by the pupils to research various fields of knowledge. Our goal is to inspire pupils and to encourage creative exploration. Our Teachers provide a rich and diverse assortment of experiments, concrete manipulative activities and ample time and tools to research topics that students want to explore at deeper levels. In multi-age classrooms, GMA pupils enjoy the opportunity of crossed-curriculum and to move at their own pace. Pupils continue to benefit from the many levels of ability and interest in each subject. Pupils spend as much time as they need to gain mastery in a given area. Since pupils are accountable for working in all subject areas, our teachers guide them and they eventually come to develop matured time management and organizational skills. Our elementary age pupils are increasingly absorbed in understanding their place in the social world as they mature and develop a moral sense. Their thinking is pervaded with concerns about right and wrong, fair and unfair. Understanding the interrelatedness of all things and seeing themselves as citizens of the world helps our pupils develop a strong commitment to their environment. This is reinforced through the many ongoing environmental and life science studies. Community and environmental service projects, both local and global, are also a regular part of GMA life. In response to our legend’s educational creed, GMA, aside from indoor mentoring of our pupils, also engages them in outdoor activities as part of our extra-curricular activities and Theme-of-the-week programmes. In our first year 2011, we took our pupils out on excursion to the office of a telecommunication outfit (Zain, now Airtel), in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. In 2012, GMA’s pupils and care givers/teachers visited an Orphanage and MTN Office in the state capital of Bayelsa, while 2013 saw us visit the Fire Service and the Diete-Koki Hospital in Opolo, Yenagoa. In 2014, we visited Federal Road Safety Corps Stations and Offices in Yenagoa. ADMINISTRATION
With a team of well grounded administrative and teaching staff headed by the proprietress, Mrs. Akinrinade Seiyefa Regina, and Mrs. Tina Adesanwo as the school’s head teacher, parents and guardians are assured of a holistic coaching and mentoring of their children and ward(s), geared towards ensuring outstanding growth spiritually, mentally, intellectually, socially, morally etc. For optimum value output for pupils, GMA teachers and care givers are trained and retrained termly so as to be prepared and equaled to the dynamic challenges of Infant and young children education. We, at GMA, are passionate about what we do, we are committed to delivering best in class educational services, we are motivated by the impressive progress recorded by our pupils and are encouraged by the immense love and support of our parents.